illo prepared

I can't believe I missed whats-in-my? wednesday on only the second week. What can I say? I'm exhausted. I don't know why. But I am prepared for valentines! Look. Notebooks... and matching cards. All screenprinted by me :)

I'll try harder next week.

Illo...... Grounded

Here's a work in progress shot of a little illustration I'm doing called 'the vulture girls'.... I saw a picture of a young vulture, and it was a rather amazing bird... With its ruff of feathers and spectacular facial colouring and elegant long neck I though it could be a model.

But that would be very mundane for the bird that flies the highest. It should be above all that right?

So maybe the aren't vulture girls at all.

Anyway, challenges the way vultures are perceived in our culture. We do these magnificent birds great injustice

Also- did you know the champignons sale is now on? http://www.champignons.co.uk/on-sale

What's in my.....

In an effort to become more consistent in my blogging this year, and realising that my main reason for blogging is illustration Friday I've decided to do a personal what's in my... Wednesday (though if others were to join in I would love that. It just I can't imagine that anyone would read this, let alone join in). Anyway, in the spirit of casual nosiness I aim to display the content of a bag, or book (or maybe stretch it to on and show the contents of a shelf or something?) for no particular reason. Or maybe to illustrate what instigates my creative impulses so you become interested in my work and buy things.

Yes, definitely the second. It has longer words and sounds professional.

Now, should I list what is in my bag, or leave it for people to guess? Would guessing be more fun, or lead to embarrassment on my part when no one cares? Anyway, here is another picture:
It's my project book. It explains some exciting plans I have ... well, planned. Including a sale of sorts and some new products I'm considering. Perhaps I will show what in my project book next x

messenger

 

When I think of messenger I think of ravens. Given the time of year I thought perhaps angels were the idea behind the theme. I have pictures of both. I've had them a long time. They are both very good pictures (for me, anyway). So why would I show you this??

Well, I guess I just wanted to show you this sketch from my journal because it's new, and because these nagas will be bring a message up from the depths when I finish this as a print. I know it's a not good picture of a not good picture, but finalising print ideas is always exciting, and I have three almost done now, so it should be a busy start to the year. 

Those beetles are probably messengers too. And that wine bottle label... the bottle definitely carried a message.

Thankyou.

Being self employed has many awesome perks; lie-ins, an awesome boss, super cool Christmas bonuses (by which I mean I bought myself a new doll), lovely customers... but there are downsides. You don't get promoted. You are considered by the general population  (especially those harbourers of the hardest working members of our society- banks-) as 'not really working'. People pop in on you randomly at any hour because you are not 'doing anything better'.

I can count the number of times my in laws have asked how business is going with out the aid of any hands. Or mathematics or even a counting system because it has never happened. And I was recently described as a 'wifey' which is wrong on two counts-

Firstly, there is nothing wrong with being a stay at home mother; it's hard and important work and if a person (male or female) decides to devote themselves to the raising of thier childern well,  they should be supported by society in this choice and not berated because 'they don't work'. They work very hard. If you chose not to do that- and not everyone is cut out for it- that's fine too, there's not need to feel bad or guilty, but don't denigrate others contributions to society just because they aren't financial.

Secondly, I do work, I do all that and run my business. I work very hard at this time of year so I was especially happy to get my thankyou letter, card and Christmas sampler from folksy again this year. Thanks folksy, you are a super site. And mostly, Thanks to you, my lovely customers. I hope you all have a super Christmas and New Year xxx

Mooooooooo!

I decided I would try and write 3 blog posts a week. That way even if I massively fail and only write one a week, I would have increased my output greatly. So here's a photo of my moo cards. It was meant to be my illo friday submission but I haven't drawn It yet.

Instead join me in celebrating up upcoming etsy milestone- I'm currently at 998 sales. Anyone buying from etsy or Better yet my nice new shop at www.champignons.co.uk will get extra goodies in the parcel. And one of these super cute moo cards. If I remember to put it in.

illo silent.

Hello there. A little quiet on the blogging front, I've been very busy printing cards. But stay tuned, there will be a competition soon, and a grand(ish) unveiling of my new card range. Anyway, since I've been doing cards my brain interpreted todays theme as 'silent night' quite against my will, by singing it in german over and over. Thanks for that, brain. Thusly, here is a hare quietly contemplating the moon. In a snowglobe. Will be in my store shortly.

Silentness is linked to christmas cards also because when it snows it muffles all sound. It doesnt snow here very often, but it did last year, and I hope it does again becuase I bought a sled. That means it will never snow again, ever, but if it does, I am prepared. Though I would rather it snowed after the christmas rush since the royal mail will refuse to work a whole week if a snowflake should touch the ground anywhere in the county. Could someone schedule snowfall for Dec 24th please??